Sheet feeder



H. EHLIG SHEET FEEDER Nov. 3, 1931.

Filed Sept. 13. 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet I IHIII Illll'l Nov. 3, 1931. H. EHLIG 1,829,984

SHEET FEEDER Filed Sept. 15. 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 2' Nov. 3, 1931. H. EHLIG 1,829,984

SHEET FEEDER Filed Sept. 15, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 avweutoz whiz flbtW Nov. 3, 1931. H. EHLlG I 1,829,984

SHEET FEEDER Filed Sept. 13, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Eluoemtoz all being incorporated Patented Nov. 3, 1931 UNTHED STATES.

P TENT oFFicE HARRY EIHLIG, F PEA-B1B RIVER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T0 DEXTER FOLDER GOM- PANEL, or new YORK, 11.2., A

CORPORATION 0F NEW YORK SHEET FEEDER Application filed. September 13; 1928; Serial My invention relates to improvements in sheet feeders for automatically separating and advancing successive sheets of paper or other impression-receivingmateriah to printing, folding or ruling machines, or to such other types of machines as are devised: to operate thereafter on such sheets;

The objects of my invention are, among other things, mainly to provide a sheet-feedon of this character having a simplified design whichwill have embodied therein separate mechanisms capable of performing efiicient work, while they are not likely to' get out of order, yet are-very sensitive in action, in a: feederwhi'ch will invariably sep mate and then feed or: advance the successive sheets from a pile on bank of paper, but preferably from a fanned-out bank of paper'on the feed-board, both automati'cally and with great rapidity.

With these objects in View, I have devised an improved front-edge sheet feeder which will separate and advance thesheetsin as con tinuous spaced-apart flow by noveli sheet sep mating and forwarding devices operating on the front portion or margins: of the stacked-up sheets, comprising an improved suction feeding-off device operating in conjunction with' an endless looped belt having spaced-apart perforations therein, whereby the superposed sheets are separated and ad'- vanced one by one in'regular succession to the usual feed-rollers, coupledwith a manuall y operated tripping mechanism for stopping the movements of the suction devices c'oacting with the perforated belt as well as for stopping the revolution of the belt itself.

A further feature of my invention is to embody with such perforated suction-belt which is continuously operated in a'forward direction, novel mechanisms whereby the suction is continuously applied to the suction shoe chamber and thence through the perforations in the belt, yet such suction feeding-off devices are operable only intermittently to enable the successive sheets to be separated and advanced'in proper spaced relation with one another; By my improvementsit is not necessarytocontrol the timing or duration of the suction which is customarily applied in:-

termittently to the feeding-off devices, but

only the movements of mechanisms by which thesuction is applied to the sheets through the suction shoe and the perforations in the continuously moving belt.

My improved sheet-feeder also embodies other advantageous features of novelty and improvement in which the different operating parts are greatly simplified in form and action, and are made more effective and otherwise'better adapted for use, all of which will: be hereinafter described and then particularly set forth in the appended claims.

The drawings show my improvements in their preferred embodiment in a continuous sheet-feederx; such improvements, however, are-not to be restricted to any particular type of sheet-feeder, asthe invention may be embodied in various forms of feeders with similar advantages and results.

Of the drawings, Fig. l is anend elevation of my feeder looking rearwardly from the delivery end of'the. machine and showing the general arrangement of the various parts and mechanisms embodied therein; i

Fig. 2" is a side view looking from the right of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is asectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a detail View of the drive wheel for the perforated belt;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a portion of the belt on the drive wheel;

Fig. dis aside view partly in section of a modified form of the suction shoe and coactijng devices that operate with the perforated Fig; 7v is an enlarged end View, partly in section, of the suction shoe lookin from the left of Fig. 6;

Fig.8 is a view similar to Fig. 6, but 'of another modified form of suction shoe and perforated belt;

Fig. 9 is a plan View of the belt and drive shown in Fig; 8; p

Fig. 10 is a detail view, partly in section, of another modified form of a suction shoe andbelt;

Fig.2l'1 is asection taken one the line 11 1110f; Fig; 10 ;:and

Fig. 12 is a detail sectional view of the suction shoe shown in Fig. in partly operative position.

Similar numerals refer to similar through the several figures.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the two sideframes 13 and 14 of the feeder proper are arranged on either side of the lower feedboard 15 over which travel a series of feed belts 16 to advance the bank of sheets 17 along the feed-board 15. The belts 16 pass around the drum 18 fast to the cross shaft 19 journalled in the side frames 13 and 14.

In the present embodiment the sheet separating and advancing device comprises the endless loop belt 20 having sgaced-apart perforations 21 cut therein, preferably in stag gered relationship Fig. 5), which belt passes around three wheels 22, 23 and 24, the drive wheel 22 being fast to the cross shaft ournalled in the side-frames 13 and 14 (Fig. 1), while the wheels 23 and 24 are eurnalled on the stub shafts 26 and 27 respectively.

The drive wheel 22 and belt 20 are driven in the direction of the arrows (Fig. 2) by the chain 28 which passes around the sprocket 29 connected with the shaft 25 by a clutch, the chain 28 also passing around the sprocket 30 mounted on the cross shaft 31 which carries the sprocket 32 driven by the chain 33 which passes around the s )rocket 34 fast to the powenshaft 35 journalled in the side frames 13 and 14. As shown in Fig. 2, the chain 28 also passes around the idler sprockets 36 and 37 fastened to the stub shafts 38 and 39 respectively.

Referring to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the drive wheel 22 carries on its peripheral tread a series of spaced-apart pins 40 which are devised to fit into the several perforations 21 in the belt 20 as the latter is actuated in its orbit around the wheels 22, 23 and 24. Each of these pins 40 has a rounded head 41 to enable the pin readily to slip into the perforations 21. and the base of each pin is contained in the hollow sleeve 42 radially set in the wheel 22 within which sleeve 42 is the coil spring 43 to form a yielding cushion seat for the pin 40, (Fig. 4 Normally the heads 41 of the pins 40 fit snugly into the perforations 21 as shown in Fig. 5 to maintain the proper alinement of the belt 20 and also to prevent slippage. Should any of the rounded heads 41 engage the margin of its perfo ration 21, the pin 40 will be yieldingly depressed until the other pins 40 in engagement with the belt 20 restore the normal driving relation between the belt 20 and wheel 22 to maintain the proper alinement of the belt 20 on the wheels, 22, 23 and 24 to ensure accurate feeding of the sheets.

Mounted on the shaft 31 is the lower feedroll drum 44 above which are the usual droprollers 45 carried by the arms 46 mounted on the stub shaft 27. The front edges of the parts sheets comprising the bank 17 are kept separated by a blast of air from the nozzle 47 connected with any suitable air pump not shown the front margins of the sheets rest on the guide plate 48 fastened to the tie rod 49 so that the front portion of the advancin sheet may be directed into the bite of roll drum 44 and drop-rollers 40 as shown in Fig. 3.

Fitted to the inner side of the perforated belt 20 along its lower run is the hollow suction shoe 50 having the transversely cut port 51 on its underface which is adapted to reg ister with the belt perforations 21 (Fig. 3). The required suction to enable the belt 20 to separate and advance the sheets is applied to the suction shoe 50 by a suitable hose connected with the pipe 52 coupled to any suitable air-exhausting means not shown.

According to one aspect of my invention the suction is continuously applied to the suction shoe 50 which is slidable'along the belt 20 and is actuated forwardly to advance the sheets after the suction has picked up the front edge of the top sheet which adheres to the exterior surface of the perforated belt 20 opposite the suction shoe 50 when retracted to its near inoperative position (Fig. 2). The top sheet is advanced by the belt 20 with the suction shoe 50 moving forwarilly until the leading edge of the sheet is caught in the bite of the rollers 44 and 45 (Fig. 3) and the shoe 5O approaches the end of its forward movement.

The means for sliding the suction shoe 50 to and fro along the inner top surface of the b lt 20 in time-d relation with the moving belt to advance the successive sheets may be widely varied in construction:

In the present embodiment, the suction shoe 50 is fastened to the horizontal rod 53 pinned to the link 54 mounted on the collar 55 fastened to the cross shaft 56 journalled in the side frames 13 and 14. The left end of the shaft 56 1) carries the short arm 57 to which is affixed the stud 58 riding in the slot 59 formed in the end of the rod 66. Also pivoted to the arm 57 is the overwcighted latch-pawl 61 which engages the notched latch 62 formed in the top of the rod to hold the stud 58 in the lower end of the slot 59 (Figs. 2 and when the parts are in latched position in the normal operation of the feeder.

The lower end of the rod 60 is pinned to the hell-crank lever 63 journa led on the stub shaft 64 fastened to the side frame 13. The lever 63 is connected by the link 65 to the end of the cam-lever 66 pinned to the side frame 13 as shown in Fig. 1. The lever 66 carries the cam-roller 67 which engages the cam 63 mounted on the cam-shaft 69 which carries the gear 70 in mesh with the gear 71. on t e mwcr-shaft 35. The coil spring 72 fastened to the adjustable sleeve 73 on the link 65 and also fastened to the side frame 13 acts to hold the cam-roller 67 in engagement with the cam eassess rollers 4% and 45.

Then thesuction shoe- 'operatingthrough the perforatedbelt picks up or separates'the next top sheet from the bank '17, and such sheet is advanced by the belt 20 until its lead ing-edge is carried to the bite of the rollers 44: and 45, the cam-roller 67 going intothe drop of the cam 68. The shoe 50 is "carried forwardly not only by its suction contact with the belt 20 but'also by the force of the spring '72. Since the shoe 50 in it'sfforw'ard movement to the left (Figs. 2 andB) passes out of the range of the pile 'or ban'kof paper after the sheet has been advanced toward or into the bite of the rollers Ma'nd 45, the second sheet will not be separated and advanced until the shoe 5O has a ain been moved into its retracted position (Fig. 2).

I have also provided a manually-operated tripping mechanism to stop the feeder whenever it becomes necessary or desirable: in the present embodiment shownin Figs. 1, 2and 3 the handle 74Lispinnedto the side frame 14 and operates the arm 75:connected by the linkGto the short ar 7 to the cross-shaft 78 'journalled inthe side frames 13 and 14. 'Secured'tothe shaft78 inside the frame '13 is the 'cam 79 which engages the cam-roller 8O pinned tothe lever81 fastened to the short shaft 82 journalled in the side framef13. Also'fastened to the shaft 82 is the trip lever 83 having its-curved tip adapted to contact with the lug B l onthe latch-pawl 61. The coil. spr'ing85 fastened to "the trip lever 83 and side frame 13 keeps the cam roller in engagement with the cam 7 9 and also rocks the trip lever 83. "The-outer end of the cross shaft 78 carri'esthe'cam face 8 6 which a'ctuates the clutch lever 87 which operates the clutch collar 88'slidably mounted on the endof the shaft'25. The collar 88-c'arries projecting pins 89 which engage holes 5 drilled in face ofthe spro'cket29. Thespring 90' coiled abouttheshaft 25'between the collar 88 and washer '91 normally "holdsthe clutch members in engagement to operate the feeder.

In operation, the first movement of the handle 74 to the right (Fig. 2) throws "the cam roller '80 into the drop of the cam. 79 and causes the spring 8 3 to pull down 'the trip lever 83. The lever "83 dislodges the latch pawl "61 from the latch "62 which allows the suction shoe 5O to'remain in its forwardposition (Fig. 3 and no sheets will be fed. The last part 0 the handle-movement will then disconnect'the clutch'collar88 from the sprocket 29 on theshaft-25 and the-belt 20 stops. To resume operation the handle 74 is movedto the left and the first part of the reverse stroke permits the clutch to engage at which timethe belt 2O starts to travel as shown by the arrowsin Fig.2, and the last part of the handlemovement shifts the cam 79in an anti-clockwise direction which raises the trip lever 83 and allows the over- Weighted latch-pawl 61 to return to its latched position with the latch 62, thereby bringing the shoe 50 again into action with both belt 20 and shoe 50 operating'as a unit.

Therefore by moving the handle 74, the

latch-paw'lfil is thrown out of-operation before theperforated belt 20 stops through'thedisengagement of the clutch, andwhen the handle 74 is thrown to start feeding the suc- "tion belt 20 will first'begin its travel before the suction shoe 50-is actuated.

In the modified form shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the suction shoe 92 is held stationary and contains the sliding "valve 93 which is somewhat shorter than the opening of the shoe 92 resting in sealing contact with the belt 20. The valve 93 is reciproca'tedby a pair of rock-arms94 (Fig. 7) having the laterally-slidable pins 95 which. engage yieldingl-ythe valve 93. The rock arms 94 are pinned to the stub shaft-'96 andare actuated by-therod 53 operated bythe-cam 68 as hereinbefore described, the pins 95 sliding back and forth in the slots97 cut in the opposite sides of the shoe92.

Covering the slots 9'? are the washers '98 held in yielding contact with the sides of the shoe -92 by the springs 99 coiled about the pins 95 as shown'in Fig. 7. By these Washers '98 the interior of the shoe 92 is keptundor constant exhaust pressure notwithstanding the'reciprocating movements of the valve 93, which has buffer faces 100 preferablyof rubber to make a-t'ight seal. against the front and rear ends of the shoe 92. Inoperation,

6shows th'e rear end of the shoe incommunication with a perforation in the helt20 to pick upthe sheet, and corresponds to the retracted-position ofthe shoe 50 in Fig. 2. the belt moves fomvardly the valve 93 is re tracted so as to affordcommunication at the front of the shoe 92'corresponding to the Fig.

3 position of the shoe 50. Such reciprocation of the valve 93 withintheshoe92 affords a simple and effective means in conjunction with the travel of the perforatedbelt 20 to separate, advance and then release the sheet when caught in the bite of the feed rollers 5 4a and 4.5, which draw the sheet forwardly from the under side of "the belt'20 beneath "the shoe 92.

in the modified form shown in Figs. 8 and 4 '9, the' belt-20 has its series of perforations2l cut in predetermined spaced-apart groups as shown in Fig. 9, and the belt 20 is affixed to a pair of chains 101 which engage with a pair of sprockets 102 (onl one being shown in Fig. 8) mounted on the shaft 2-5. The suction shoe 103 is held stationary and the front edge of the top sheet is picked up when the forward perforations of the belt 20 reach their F5 8 position. The separated sheet is then advanced by the belt 20 until the leading edge is caught the feed rollers l4 and 45 by which time the last of the perforations have traveled beyond the Zone of the port 104 of the shoe 103. I

In the modified form shown in Figs. 10, 11 and 12, the suction shoe 105 is stationary and shell-like in form; it has a rear port and a forward port 107 which are adapted to register with the perforated belt 20. lVithin the shoe is the hollow sleeve valve 103 having the transverse slotted opening 10!) which coacts with the ports 106 and 107. The valve 108 is rocked by the arm 110 pinned to the rod 53 operated by the cam 68 as hereinbefore described to connect the hollow valve 108 with the perforated belt 20 through either of the ports 106 and 107. Fig. 10 shows the connect-ion tl'nough the port- 106 while Fig. 11 shows the valve 108 being rocked in av clockwise direction and midway between the two ports 106 and 107. The operation in feeding successive sheets in conjunction with the travel. of the perforated belt 20 is the same as when the suction shoe 50 is reciprocated in the construction shown in Figs. 15.

In all the forms of my improved sheet feeder, the suction is continuously applied to the chamber of the shoe riding on the travelling belt and the separation and advancement of the successive sheets is controlled either by reciprocating the shoe along the belt or by mechanisms to vary the point of application of the suction through the belt either in the shoe itself or in the constantly moving belt by grouping the series of perforations in spaced-apart intervals in the run of the belt.

The foregoing construction embodies the underlying principles of my invention, but various changes or modifications may be made in the structural details without departing from the scope of my improvements. I-lowever the foregoing is suflicient to disclose the basic principles and advantages of my invention as installed in a sheet-feeder of the continuous type.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a sheet feeder, a moving suction feedbelt for separating and advancing successive sheets, and shiftable means for applying suction therethrough at different portions of the belt during its forward travel.

2. In a sheet feeder, a constantly moving suction feed-belt for separating and advancing successive sheets, and shiftable means for applying suction therethrough at different portions of the belt during its forward travel.

3. In a sheet feeder, an endless, loop suction feed-belt arranged adjacent the top portion of a pile or bank of sheets, means for moving said belt in a forward direction, and shiftable means for varying the point of application of suction through the belt for separating and ar vancing the successive sheets.

at. In a sheet feeder, an endless, loop suction feed-belt arranged adjacent the top portion of a pile or bank of sheets, means for continuously moving said belt in a forward direction, and shiftable means for varying the point of application of suction. through the belt for intermittently se iarating and advai'icing the successive sheets.

In a sheet feeder, a moving suction feed-belt for advancing successive sheets by a iplying suction therethrough at different portions of ti belt d nring its forward travel, and a trig .1 mechanism for rendering the suction ineffective to feed a sheet and then stopping the belt- In a sheet feeder, a moving suction feedbelt for advancing successive sheets by applyin suction therethrough at di ferent portions of the belt during its forward travel, and a tripping mechanism for rendering the suction ineffective to feed a sheet and then stopping the belt, said mechanism on its reverse stroke starting the belt and then applying suction thereto to restore operation of the feeder.

7. In a sheet feeder, a moving suction feedbelt for advancing successive sheets by applying suction therethrough at different portions of the belt during its forward travel, and a manually-operatcd tripping mechanism for rendering the suction ineffective to feed a sheet and then stopping the belt.

8. In a sheet feeder, a moving perforated feed-belt to advance the sheets, and a reciprocating suction-shoe bearing on said belt to apply suction therethrough at different portions of the belt during its forward travel.

9. In a sheet feeder, a constantly moving perforated feed-belt to advance the sheets, and a reciprocating suction-shoe bearing on said belt to apply suction therethrough intermittently at different portions of the belt during its forward travel.

10. In a sheet feeder, aperforated feedbelt, to advance the sheets, driving means for actuating the belt, and yielding means carried by the driving means to maintain a fixed relation between said belt and driving means.

11. In a sheet feeder, a moving perforated feed-belt to advance the sheets, a suction device bearing on the belt to apply suction therethrough to pick up the sheets, an d means within said device to apply said suction through different portions of the belt during its forward travel.

12. In a sheet feeder, a moving perforated feed-belt to advance the sheets, a suction device having spaced-apart ports coacting with said belt to apply suction therethrough to pick up the sheets, and means within the shoe to vary the application of suction through said ports.

13. In a sheet feeder, a moving perforated feed-belt to advance the sheets, a suction shoe having spaced-apart ports bearing on said belt to apply suction thereto, and a valve carried within the shoe to control the suction through said separated ports.

14. In a sheet feeder, a moving perforated feed-belt to advance the sheets, a suction shoe having spaced-apart ports bearing on said belt to apply suction thereto, a valve carried within the shoe to control the suction through said separated ports, and means for actuating said valve to intermittently connect the suction with said ports operable through the continued movement of the feeder.

15. In a sheet feeder, a moving perforated feed-belt to advance the sheets, a suction shoe having spaced-apart ports bearing on said belt to apply suction thereto, and a hollow rotary valve carried within the shoe to control the suction through said separated ports.

16. In a sheet feeder, a moving perforated feed-belt, a suction device to apply suction therethrough, and means for advancing said suction device concurrently with the forward travel of the belt.

17. In a sheet feeder, a constantly moving perforated feed-belt, a suction device to apply suction therethrough, and means for advancing said suction device concurrently with the forward travel of the belt.

HARRY EHLIG. 

